A 7-step (and then some) guide to mastering self-love by our BFF, business partner, and incredibly inspiring human being, Reanne Derkson. Take it away, Ree!

January always feels like the right time for new beginnings, fresh starts, re-commitments, and renewing memberships. Every year, around this time, I sit down with my little notebook and my Micron 03 black ink pen, and I write down all of my goals and intentions and dreams for the week, month and year ahead of me.

But what about the things I haven’t quite finished from last years “goal-setting” sesh. What about the book I still have yet to finish? What about last year’s journey — the destination of which I still have (definitely) not arrived at yet.

Someone get this girl an internal GPS. Or a map. Or better walking shoes.

Here’s the thing I’ve recently learned, though: No matter how practical your walking shoes, some journeys take longer than others. Some journeys are infinite, and some journeys can’t be arrived at — there simply is no finish line. So even though a year has passed, and even though you thought you would be “there” by now, it’s 100% okay to still be finding your way.

I was supposed to have finished littlefoolbook by now. (98,000 words later, I’m still working on it.)

I was supposed to be five pounds lighter. (I might be, though today I just don’t feel it.)

And no longer craving wine on weekdays. (I really don’t know what version of me envisioned that.)

And have my pizza addiction in check. (It’s been 2 days, 4 hours and 37 seconds since my last slice.)

I was supposed to be head over heels in love with myself by now. (Everything always comes back to love.)

Self-love is the foundation for it all. When I’m doing a good job of it — taking care of myself, being gentle with myself, loving myself — My writing is in flow, and I don’t care what the number on the scale says, and pizza loses its efficacy over me.

It sounds so easy. self-love. But if the last 3 years have taught me anything, it’s that self-love is one of those goals where there simply is no finish line. Self-love is an infinite journey.

A 7-Step (And Then Some) Guide to Mastering self-love

1. Self-care is Always (Always) The First Step.

There simply is no self-love without self-care.

We’re so conditioned to give love to those around us that we often forget to take care of ourselves.

Avoid the inevitable burnout by taking care of number one — that’s you. What do you need to do to feel the way you want to feel, every single day?

This can seem like a daunting question at first. But knowing the answers allows you to plan for love.

Okay. Not like, right now. Because I’m not that talented, but I started it a few nights ago and love the fact that it’s interactive. Written simply, it boils down big ideas about self-love into simple concepts.

3. Set (or adjust) your priorities.

Refer to Step 1. How do you want to feel every single day? What do you need to do to feel that way?

“You’re writing a book. You’ve never written a book before. Of course you don’t know what you’re doing, but you’re doing a damn good job of figuring it out as you go.”And:

“You’re not broke. You are your own boss, running your own business and you have a roof over your head (Thanks, Hayl!) and food in the fridge, and really stylish clothes to wear for someone who claims to be broke.”

It’s all okay. Allow me to remind you: this whole self-love thing, it’s an infinite journey and detours are 100% bound to happen. Be gentle with yourself when they do.

7. Know your worth.

I struggle with this one more than I care to admit.

I attach my worth to inanimate objects. I attach my worth to my creative output. I attach my worth to my resume and professional accomplishments. I attach my worth to the size of my jeans and the number of “likes” I get on an Instagram photo. I attach my worth to things that have nothing to do with my worth.

Like I said, I’m working on it.

But here’s the truth: My self-worth cannot be negotiated. My self-worth is not dependent on any variables or factors. My self-worth comes solely from within me.

Knowing your worth can save your life.

So back to that thing I was saying about some journey's being infinite. Self-love is one of those journeys.

If...

You're ready to be the main source of love in your life.You're sick and tired of questioning your own self-worth.You want to be the happiest person you know.You're exhausted from constantly putting other people (and their priorities) ahead of your own.You're seeking self-love and self-acceptance.You're ready to say "no" to guilt.You're craving comfort in your own skin.

We write kickass emails. Biweekly-ish to a select group of Alchemy Insiders on stuff you’ll probably want to know about like: high vibe nutrition knowledge, how to feel good, and other things that will catapult you into achieving the life of your dreams.

What’s up this month? Aside from the obvious spring forward clock jump happening on the 11th, March is bookended by not one but TWO glossy full moons illuminating literally everything that’s been hiding...

New year, new you or same you, new year? I don’t know where I was going with this because my original plan was to introduce a fresh monthly series where we report our top 5-10 product picks of the month then you, our sweet, funny, kind, and profoundly brilliant reader tell us which products you’re currently loving in the comments...

You may remember that nearly one year ago we professed our immense disdain for cold weather and graced your screens with all the ways we could think of to beat the winter blues. I like to think that article was the most important piece of cold weather content ever displayed on the Internet, but my boyfriend simply calls it “useful.” Anyway, we’re back(!) one year later with Part II of that feature, this time with a very helpful and equally useful winter Rx spotlighting 1000+ words on how not to get sick and 9 weird, witchy, holistic ways to prevent those nasty winter colds...

Is it 2018 already? On one level I don’t believe it because where the f*%k did 2017 go? On another level though, everything, including my calendar, is currently screaming NEXT. So why not embrace it? In honor of the new year, fresh starts, and Monday nights extra glossy Supermoon in Cancer — could 2018 be any brighter? — we’re purging the old. Here is everything we’re letting go of in 2017...

Featured IN:

Join Our Tribe

You’re here to live a radiant, vibrant, happy, empowered, inspired life and we’re here to help you make it happen. Sign up to receive free updates & get exclusive access to high vibe nutrition knowledge that will catapult you into achieving the life of your dreams.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

We respect your privacy & promise not to spam you.

Hello, Alkalite! Thank you so much for signing up! You're almost done!Be sure to check your inbox to complete your subscription process.